Bosnia is lagging behind and the lack of the government is one of the reasons for that, newly appointed Head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Sarajevo Kathleen Kavalec said in her first TV interview after assuming the office.

New OSCE chief in Bosnia said she was briefed about the situation in the country and that she understands the citizens are dissatisfied with the fact that the government still has not been formed a year after the elections.

“That's the key to progress. Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn't want to lag behind, it can make progress,” she said adding that leaders must find a compromise.

Kavalec is a former US State Department official who served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

She assumed duties on 24 September, replacing Bruce Berton who served since September 2017.

The ambassador welcomed the cooperation demonstrated during the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Turkey, Serbia and Bosnia in Belgrade on Tuesday, expressing hope that Bosnia Presidency members will return to the country in the new spirit of cooperation.

“The roads are crucial, I am encouraged to see the progress,” Kavalec said in N1's ‘Dan uzivo’ programme, adding that the OSCE will always support such developments.

Commenting on the ongoing trend of the youth leaving the country, she said that authorities should focus on building a society where people would feel protected and have opportunities. The OSCE is trying to support that, especially the rule of law and fighting corruption,” she said.

She will focus during her term on the OSCE's priorities which include the rule of law, education, fundamental rights and security issues as well as the issue of gender equality, which includes strengthening of women's role in Bosnia in line with the international obligations.